LAKELAND, Fla. - Faulkner (3-1) came back to take the lead 58-57 on a 9-0 run with under two minutes left in The Furnace on Saturday but fell to a strong Southeastern side (1-0) in the Fire's season opener 60-58 on a late three-pointer and a travel on the Lady Eagles' ensuing possession with four seconds left.
It was just the latest twist in a contest that saw the lead change 11 times. As they did on Friday 33 miles southeast of SEU's campus at Webber International, the Lady Eagles came out hot, scoring a pair of quick treys from Morgan Holland DeWitt and Keyarra Scottland to lead 6-2. The Fire took the lead on a three-pointer and a layup before the teams traded the lead twice more in the first quarter.
With 8:47 left in the second, Faulkner retook the lead again on an Audrey Blaine triple, which was the start of a 9-0 run to put the visitors up 24-17 with 5:46 left. The span included an offensive rebound and putback by Ruthie Smith and a DeWitt layup off the assist from Smith. The Fire then closed the half on a 13-3 run to lead 30-27 heading into the locker room, the lone Eagle score coming on a DeWitt steal and subsequent triple for a brief 27-26 lead.
The teams mostly traded scores throughout the third quarter and first six minutes of the fourth. The Fire led throughout that time and held a 57-51 lead with four minutes left in the game. Ella Jane Connell got it within three on a triple. Grace Anne Rose got a steal on the ensuing possession, where Connell fed Smith for a jumper. DeWitt tied it on a free throw after her offensive board on the next trip down. Rose gave her team the lead with 1:49 remaining following a Connell steal.
The misses on the back end of those trips to the charity stripe would prove costly, as Mya Herman hit a three with 32 seconds left to take the two-point lead. After calling timeout, Smith took on a triple team as she pushed for the tying basket, and before she could get the benefit of a foul call, she was called for a walk, ending the Lady Eagles' final possession and spoiling a 54.5% shooting fourth quarter.
The Fire had the advantage in the bulk of statistical areas, though Faulkner won the rebounding battle 37-30, as well as second chance points, bench points and personal fouls.
Smith racked up 14 points, nine boards, four blocks and four steals. DeWitt poured in 15 points and eight rebounds. Scottland scored eight, Connell six and Avery Rogers five. The assists were almost evenly distributed, as Sydney Steward led with three and Smith, Scottland, Rogers and Connell each helped on two buckets.
The Lady Eagles are back home for their next contest versus Reinhardt on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 5:30 pm.
